Automatic machine for making tubes



Nov. 8, 1932. v WITTE 1;886,459

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES Filed April 21, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l x Q INVENTOR R Egg. M7775.

ATTORNEY Nov. 8, 1932. P. WlTTE AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES Filed April 21, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR' 7 BY E04, W775.

. ATTORNEYS Ill .1

Nov. 8, 1932. P. WITTE AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES Filed April 21, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Z AQLWTTE.

ATTGRNEYS Nov. 8, 1932. wn- 1,886,459

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES Filed April 21, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 & INVENTOR BY HIS ATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1932.

P. WlTTE AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES Filed April 21, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 12704 W/rrf.

Z' M BY ms ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 8, 1932 "i t me PAUL \VITTE, OF N EW MILFORD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB T VII-IITE IVEETALS IvIANUFAG TUBING COMPANY, OF HOBOKEN, NEVT JERSEY, A COR-PORATEOI'I (PF NEW JERSEY AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES Application filed April 21,

This invention relates to a machine for making tubes from ductile metal, such as block tin, white metal or the like.

The machine illustrated, which embodies the present invention, while not limited thereto. is well suited for the manufacture of collapsible tubes, such as used for dispensing tooth paste, shaving cream and somewhat similar plastic materials.

Heretofore such tubes have usually been made on machines of the punch press type having a vertically reciprocating plunger adapted to coact with a die for forming the tube on the plunger from a circular disc-like blank. One difficulty encountered with former machines is that of stripping the formed tubes from the plunger. To permit such stripping, the tube forming plunger is frequently carried by a horizontally swingable arm, which is adapted to move the plunger to a position out of line with the die, so as to permit an operator to remove the tube by hand.

Devices have also been heretofore used for dispensing with a hand stripping operation by the utilization of mechanism movable relatively to the plunger for stripping the tubes therefrom. In such former types of machines, the stripped tubes are usually released and permitted to drop an appreciable distance and they are sometimes stacked in boxes and transferred to mechanism for performing finishing operations on the formed tube, such as trimming 0H one end thereof and threading the neck for the reception of the closure cap.

In n y improved machine, the longitudinal axis of the tube forming plunger is disposed horizontally, as distinguished from the ver ticall r disposed plungers heretofore used. Th s horizontal disposition of the plunger e. me to strip the tube from the plunger immediately after its formation and to sup port the tube either during the stripping movem nt. or immediately thereafter, so that it does not fall any appreciable distance. lVith the improved machine, the stripped tube is received in horizontal position by a er member which delivers the tube in osition that its substantially horizontal icrical surface lies fiat on the horizontal 1932. Serial No. 606,600.

surface of a conveyor belt travelling immediately below the forming plunger. 1 This con veyor receives tubes in succession and carries them away in a horizontally disposed position. This is of advantage, for it facilitates inspection of the finished tubes by an operator and it also properly positions the tubes so that their open ends can be readily aligned with the horizontally disposed man drels of suitable tube finishing machines.

The foregoing and other novel features of improvement will be apparent from the fol-' lowing specification when read in connection with the accompany drawings.

In the drawings. r

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tube forming machine embodying the invention; L

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section illustrating a tube forming plunger. its chief operating parts and related transfer and conveyor mechanism, the View being taken on line 2-42 of Fig. l;

3 is a transverse section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 illustrating means for transferring the formed tube to the conveyor directly underlying the tube forming plunger;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of 3 also showing adjacent mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on line of Fig. 2 showing the plunger support- 0 carriage and related mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2 illustrating means for feeding the blanks or slugs and also the conveyor carrying away the formed tubes (see also line 6-6 of Fig. 1)

Fig. '7 is a detail view partly in plan and partly in horizontal section on line 7 0 Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view illustratthe mechanism for transferring formed tubes to the underlying conveyor;

9 is an elevation viewed from the right side of Fig. 8, part-s being sectioned oif: 95

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the main drive of the machine and showing mechanism for transmitting movement to the plunger carriage;

Fig. 11 is a detail view illustrating means 1% for periodically lubricating the surface of the tube forming plunger;

Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12) of Fig. 11; 5 Fig. 13 is a perspective detail View of the two halves 'of'thetube stripper;

Figile is a view similar to Fig.9, but illustrating a slight modification.

Referring first n a general way to the -machine as awliole,-there is amagazine AL adapted to supply disc-like blanks or slugs B to a feed chute C. This:chute delivers-the blanks or slugs to a reciprocating feeder D,

which is intermittently reciprocated so as to.

align the blanks with the die .aIi'dQ): l o I Cooperating-with the die, thereis a horizo'ntalljfi'disposed tube' forming plunger F rccipro'eated'byacarriage Grtraveling in suit- 2'93 ableguides, alla's hereinafter more fully referred to:

9n the' fbrward movement of the carriage,-

E. (Figs. 1

theplunger engages a blank which has been V w previously positi ned'in the die; This causes the extrusion of the ductile metalofthe blank over the surface of the plunger, thus formiiig-i'a tube thereon; As the plunger isretra'cted, a stripper Hcomesinto play and upon continued rearward movement of the carriage the formed tube isstripped from the plunger while'the sameis in the confines of radial arms 10 of a transfer meinberd (Fig; 9). This'transfer member coacts with the runway-'men'iber'K- overwvhicli the formed 357 tube" 13 is adapted to; roll until it strikes a tirans'verse'division 12 on the horizontally dis-- posed conveyor M, which is located directly under the trave'ls in a horizontal plane bel'ow't'he plunger.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, as the blanks B reach the lowerend of the feed chut'e'C they' fa'll into moan-.14 of the blank feeder D: This feeder is mounted in suitable gi'iides1l 6 (Fig; Movement is imparted to the feeder B through a link 18' connected to" an arm 20', secured to a rock? shaft 22; This shaft 22'carries lever 24 to the outer end of which is secureda roller member 26', which rides on a face cam 28. This cam is secured to a shaft 30-, Fig. 10, which is driven through gear 32 and pinion 34. secured to the main drive shaft 36. This shaft is adapted to be driven from, a pulley 38, a suitable clutch being provided for controlling 56 secured to the outer end of an arm 58 carried by a vertical rock shaft 60 mounted in suitable bearings (Figs. 1 and 10). This rock shaft also carries arms 62 which are connected by means of links 64 with a clutch operating ring. 66. Goactingiwith the gear 56 securedto the arm 58, there is a gear 68 eccentrically mounted on a vertical shaft 70.

The degree ofv eccentricity, of thegears 52 andl68 is. substantially equal; As, thus ar-' ranged, when the shaft 52' is turned, because of the eccentric mounting of gears 54: and 68, the arm 58, which carries the gear 56, will be rockedaboutthe-a-Xis of the vertical shaft 60, thus actuating the clutch. 1

Asislio'wn in Fig: 7, pivoted at 72 tothe blank-feeder D, there'is a plate 74 carrying a projection 76'near itsouter end, which adapted} when the plate T tus-rocked about its-pivot'72'to insert the blank B into the opening 78 0f the die-E. Springs 80 and 82 normally-tend to hold the plate 74 in the position shown in Fig. 7 Z In'this position, the projection 76 cooperates with the feeder D to confine the blank B withinthe notch 142 of the feeder.

On the back stroke of the plunger F, the previously'formed tube is removed from the plunger, whereupon the cam -28 rocks the shaft 22, thus causing thefeeder D to move forward to" the dotted position indicated in Fig. 7; This-willcarry the blank B into alignment with the opening 78 in the die. Upon reaching this aligned position, an insertermember 80 is rocked about its pivot 82. This-strikes a blow to the outer end of the plate 749 and causes the projection 76' to force the slug B into the opening 7 8 of the die. Theinsertermember has an arm 8 L, which at its outer end, carries a tapered roller 86. arranged-to'ride on the cam surface 88- of'a sector-shaped cam 90 secured to a rock shaft 92; This shaft is adapted to be rocked in one direction by' a: spring 94 and in the other direction by a cam 96 secured (Fig. 5)- to the 5 l reciprocating carriage G, which supports the tube forming plunger F; The cam 96 transmie'sits rocking movement to the shaft 92 through an arm 98 secured to one extremity of the shaft, this arm carrying a roller 100 (see'Fi gs. 1 and 5). A spring 102' normally tends to hold the roller 86 ofthe inserter arm against its actuatingcam 88.

- As thus arranged, it is clearthat upon the rearward stroke of the plunger carriage G the plate cam 96, which reciprocates therewith, will rock the shaft 92, thus causing insertion of a blank in the die upon each backstroke of' the plunger carriage. The rock shaft 92 also carries an arm 104 having a transfer member operating pawl 106 secured thereto. See Figs. '9 and 1). p

The pawl .106 intermittently turns the transfer member J through approximately of a turn, so as to peri-dically release the 1C 1 as shown in Fig. 10) t supprtec b7 0 able bearings, not shown.

having a pivots. connection at h the lever 108 and similar CO11116C1O11 Wlel the crank pin 121% secured to crank arms 126 c rried by the shaft 30. :is thus arranged, it is clear that rotation of tl e shaft 30 and crank pin 12 1 will oscil ate the carriage actuating iever 108 end during such OSClllELtZOZl the upp- 1" end of ever 108 will partake of a straight line plunger holder is in the form or raw- a up 0 locked in adjusted p The shank carries an- 0" t A orward end of which eneated against a shoulder 1 up the nuts 13 1-. and 132, a lone'it at strent of the holder 128 can l= i lr and accurately secured, the n 18-1 being provided on their s with suitable sockets for engagea spanner wrench.

e forward end of the plunger 1 e is ehu l: having a tape ed bore which coacts with the tapered member 112, which at diiferent points is slotted so that, when the chucl: 1410 is screwed into the and thus firmly hold it. This nt permits the insertion in 1 i 'emc the plnnger holder of plunger f different diameters, so as to adapt the machine for e i 'ferent sizes.

The cue E, with which the plunger F eoacts in forming the tubes from the blank D, is rem va *l r supported in die lOlClfiI" 1 1 i having a shank 146 seated within ing 1 1&8 formed on the bed chine. The die is r tained in th b me..ns of su'ta i traction of the plunger or the backward movement of the carriage, the tube is adapted to be stripped from the plunger and gently lowered to an unoerlying conveyor. The means for effecting this stripping and lowering of the tube constitutes an important part of the improved n achine h rein shown. The stripper is best shown in Figs. 2 and 13 and the mechanism for transferring the tune to the conveyor after it been stripped s As shown is be t shown in 8 and 0. i -1' in. stripper r1 1 preferably made i dicated at 152 and 154:. These in two parts, i parts are provided with flanges 15-8 and 158, so

as so form a locating or positioning groove 1 0. The groove of the member 15% 1s o groove 160 of the upper half he stripoer H, this retainin member bee to be secured to the bridge piece cap screws 168 shown in dot-- i This split or two part i f the strloper permits of ready insertion and removal of strippers havingdifierentsized bores to correspond with the different sized plungers adapted to be fitted to the machine. The bore 168 of the strip per is preferably tapered, as indicated Figs. 2 and 13.

because it provides for a relatively close sliding" fit between the stripper and the plungeforward end of the stripper and n lows clearance a the rearward end of the This p rmits smooth operation and avoids any tendency of the stripper to exert undue friction on the plunger.

The member 152 of th stripper has an aperture 170 forniedthereon. This is to permit the application of lubricant to the plunger. The means for applying this lubricant is shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The lubricant is applied by a piece of wicking 1'72 secured in a tubular member 1% carried at the outer end of a lever 176, pivoted at 178 to the bridge 16%.

The tubular member 174: projects into the aperture 170 of the stripper and is periodically rocked so as to bring the wiclring and the lubricant carried thereby into en agement with uhe plunger. The rocking movement of the lever 11 6 is effec ed by means of a cam 1 0- carried the rock siaft 92 here- This is deemed important 1 through the stripper and also insures the tube can be freely removed from the plungerwithout mutilating it. By aperturing the stripper and applying the lubricant in the apertured part, I am enabled to secure an. effective distribution over the surface of thelunger. A film of the lubricant-tends tofollow the outline of the tapered surface of the opening 168 in the plunger and thus even-- 1y distributes the lubricant over the entire surface of the plunger as the same reciprocates back and forth through the stripper.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that thebridge 164 above referred to, which supports the stripper, is secured in place on theends of parallel rods 184 carried by upstanding bosses 186 secured to the grooved carriageguide bars 188, which in turn are secured in. a recessed seat 190 formed in the bed of the machine. l

The collapsible tubes L formed on this machine usually have a neck portion Z, Fig. 8,. adapted to be subsequently threaded to re ceive a closure cap. This results in makingthe neck end of the tube heavier than the other parts. Thus on a horizontal machine, it is important to provide means for receiving the tube as it is stripped from the plunger in such manner that it will not fall neck first or on the skew. In order to prevent damage to the tube immediately after it is stripped from the plunger and to prevent its falling on an angle or in a haphazard manner, I provide the transfer mechanism, indicated'as a whole at J (see Fig. 9), which is adapted. to gently control the movement of the tube to the conveyor belt M, which travels immediately below the plunger.

This transfer member J, in the embodiment of the invention best shown in Figs. 3, 8 and 9, includes a central hub 192 having a plurality of radial plate-like arms 10, there being six such arms shown in the embodiment of the invention illustrated. The hub 192 isrotatably supported on a stub shaft 194 secured end of the stripping movement the neck end of the tube may be momentarily supported by arm 10. In some cases, as illustrated in the modification of Fig. 14, the arms 1O may have their ends curved, as indicated at 10 and may be so arranged that the tube is actually supported during the stripping movement. This however, in some cases is not essential as no particular damage will result to the tube if it falls a very small distance, as indicated for example by the distance between the tube L nsseese in Fig. 9 and thecenter ofthe opening inthe die 13).. After the tube L has been stripped fromthe mandrel, the continued backward movement ofthecarriage,Gcauses cam 96 to rock shaft 92. This will move thepawl 106 to the dotted position of Fig. 9, thus-permitting the stripped tube .to .roll down the plate K-,,asindicated by the arrow w- Thus the tube will bedeposited on a horizontal surface of the traveling conveyor M in aspace thereon located between ,two of thestrips 12. Thus the completedtube can becarried away while resting in a horizontal position on its cylindrical surface. On the'next forward movement of the carriage, ,the pawl 106 will hereturned to the full line position of Fig. 9. In order to prevent the turning movement of the transfer member J vduring the forward stroke of the pawl, I provide an impositive lock 198 which, as shown in Fig. 8, is in the form of a spring steel strip having a notched portion 200 for successive engagement with the edges 202 in slotted parts of the arms 10 of-the transfer member J. The spring lock 198 is secured to the bridge piece 164 by screw The transfer mechanism described is advanced one step upon each rearward stroke of the carriage G and plunger F, hence as the plunger moves forward will move through a tube receiving space defined by two of the arms 10 of the plunger. and the runway plate 7K and upon the backward stroke of the carriagethe turning of the transfer member J will cause the tube to gently roll down the curved runway plate, its movement being controlled by the arm 10. The traveling con- Rue veyor M being locatedclose to and directly 1 under the plunger is advantageous because the stripped tube, therefore. needs to travel only a very short distance and it has no opportunity to gather such momentum as would be likely to distort it upon coming to' rest on the conveyor.

The conveyor M, as shown in Fig. 6, is supported at one end on an idle roller 204 secured to shaft 206 mounted in suitable bearings in the brackets 208. At its other end, the conveyor belt passes around a drive roller 210 secured to a shaft 212. This shaft carries a sprocket wheel 214 (Fig. 10) which is driven by means of a chain 216 which passes around a sprocket 218 on a shaft 220 carrying another sprocket 222, which is driven by a chain 224 from a sprocket 226 secured to a shaft 228 having a bevelled gear 230 thereon, which meshes with a bevelled pinion 232 secured to the shaft 30 hereinabove referred to. This drive moves the conveyor continuously, but at such a linear speed that upon each stroke of the carriage the conveyor is advanced a sufiicient distance to bring one of the cross pieces 12 thereof into a position to receive each tube stripped from the plunger.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that 5 the described machine provides a horizontally reciprocating plunger cooperating with a die and means for periodically inserting blanks in the die and that upon forward movement of the carriage the tube is formed on the er. Upon the rearward movement -e carriage and plunger, the tube 'ipped th refrom. During this stripping movement, the arms of the transfer member o" may, as shown in ll, support the free ends of the tube subs itially in all with the plunger during the stripping operation. Upon rotation of the transfer member J, the arms 10 thereof control the gentle lowering of the tube to the conveyor which has a supporting surface disposed in a horizontal plane and travelling immediately under the plunger, so that the tube is not likely to be damagec by impact. it will be understood at upon each movement of the plunger lubr'cant is applied thereto, so as to facilitate the smooth operation of the parts and the easy removal of the tube from the plung- 0 eneral arrangement and construcue parts is such that plungers and rent sizes can be utilized, so as -s of varying diameters. Utilizatwo part stripper and the retainer L provides means whereby changing iiom one size to another can be readily made.

arious monifcations may be made by tiose ski. led in the art ithout departing frm the invention as defined in the appended I claim is .n ne for making collapsible tubes ludmg a plunger on wh ch the tubes are med, means for automatically stripping tubes from the plunger, transfer means s nchronized with the movements of the u and constructed and arranged to reand momentarily support each tube im- 7 in v as it is stripped from the plunger and a con eyor arranged to receive the tubes from said tr fer means.

- A for making collapsible tubes plunger on which the tubes at for automatically stripping the plunger, a member hava plurality of tube receiving portions ed to successively receive a tube di- "pped from the plunger and "ed with the mov ments of successively bringing each is to tube receiving position said or the i onveyor arranged to receive tubes d nember. machine for making collapsible tubes comprising a reciprocating plun er on which the tubes are formed, fixed means embracing the plunger for stripping the tubes therefrom the plunger is retracted, a transfer membe? movable about an axis substantially parallel to that of the plunger, a conveyor having a tube receiving surface which travels in a plane substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the plunger and means for imparting movement to said transfer member near the end of the retracting stroke of the plunger so as to transfer the tube to aid conveyor upon its removal from the plunger.

a. A machine for making collapsible tubes, including a plunger on which the tubes are iormed, means for automatically stripping the tubes from the plunger, a rotatable memher having a plurality of tube receiving portions between which the plunger successively reciprocates and means for successively bringing each of said receiving portions to tube receiving position.

5. A machine of the character described comprising a horizontally reciprocating plunger on which tubular articles are formed, a supporting member rotatable on a horizontal axis having a plurality of article receiving portions between which the plunger reciprocates successively and means synchronized with the movements of the plunger for intermittently turning said member through a predetermined angle, and means normally embracing the plunger and effective upon one stroke thereof to strip the article within the confines of adjacent article receiving portions of said rotatable member.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a horizontally reciprocating plunger on which tubular articles are formed, a supporting member rotatable on a horizontal axis having a plurality of article re ceiving portions between which the plunger reciprocates successively and means synchronized with the movements of the plunger for intermittently turning said member through a predetermined angle, and means normally embracing the plunger and effective upon one stroke thereof to strip the article within the confines of adjacent article receiving portions of said rotatable member and travelling means below said member for receiving the articles released by the turning movement thereof.

7. A machine for making collapsible tubes, including a plunger on which the tubes are formed, means for automatically stripping the tubes from the plunger, means receiving and momentarily supporting each tube in substantial alignment with the plunger immediately after it is stripped therefrom and means effective to release the tube from said receiving means.

8. A machine for making collapsible tubes including a plunger on which the tubes are formed, means for automatically stripping the tubes from the plunger, a rotatably mounted member having a plurality of arms each adapted to be successively stopped in a position substantially or approximately tangent to the tube so as to support the free end thereof while it is being stripped from the plunger, and means for intermittently turn- .ing-sa a m hrou a de er an l 9, A machine for making tubular articles comprising a horizontally reciprocating plunger on which the articles are formed, a fixedpp no me i,em 'ae sih P i eerandadapted to strip the articles from the ,nlenee as i ee e r la iv y thereto, means .for supporting the free ends of the articles substantially in alignmentjwiththe plunger during thestripping operation and means for releasing the articles from said supporting m ansi 10. A machine for making tubular articl s eqmpri ne a .h riz nt l jiteqiia e ti s plunger on I which the articles are formed, a fixed.st irre nerm l sm ra ing h p ane'- aan dapt d t str th ar ele i m t rl ne'e e i mo es re a e th e me ns for supporting the free ends of the articles substanti ally alignment with the plunger slur-ma er p ns brer'et a dme e fo releasi th rticle i eai serre i s neans and a conveyor travelling below said spr r ie mea f u c e w 'y n's away the articles.

Ill. A machine for making tubular articles .e m ris ie' a r lzoi t l re ri e s ha es which. h a t e i i fimed a iixedrs rpe rmal o s e e Planeer an d a'dapted to strip the articles irom the lplungerias itlmoves relatively thereto, means for supporting thefree ends of the articles substantially alignment with the plunger during the stripping operation and means for releasing the articles rom said supporting neans and'a conveyor pea hiav ing a plurality of transversely disposed strips secured thereto definingseparate sections for successively receivingthe articlesas they are re- ,leased by said supporting means.

12:. A ,ma chine for collapsible tubes 7 or the L like which comprises, die, a plunger cooperating therewith on which the tubes are formecha carriage movable in a substantially horizontal plane ,esrrym said plunger, fixed stripper embracing" .said plunger, a rotatably supportedmember hav- 5Q ing substantially radial arms, each being adaptedjtosupport the 'free end ofa tube during the stripping operation, and means ac tuate dby themovement of said carriage for successively bringing each ofsaid arms to a cant to the plunger.

friedby said plunger and yielding means for impositively locking each of said armsin its operative supporting position.

, 1'4. A machine for making collapsible tubes or the like, which comprises, a die, a plunger cooperating therewith on which the tubes are formed, means for reciproeating the plunger axially in a horizontal plane, a stripper comprising separable parts embracing the plunger and having a tapered bore the smaller diameter of which just clears the plunger, a fixed bridge plate supporting the stripper, and carrying means for detachably securing said stripper, and means for supporting the free end of the tube while the plunger is being withdrawn from thetube.

15. A machine for making collapsible tubes or the like which comprises a die, a plunger cooperating therewith on which the tubes are formed, means for reciprocating the plunger toward and away from said die, a

stripper through which the plunger reciprocates, and means movable in timed relation withthe movements of the plunger for periodically applying a small 16. A machine for making collapsible tubes or the like which comprises afdie, a plunger cooperating therewith on which the tubes are formed, a reciprocating carriage supporting the plunger, a tube stripper through which the phinger reciprocates, and

means actuated in response to the reciprocating movement of the carriage for applying lubricant tothe plunger.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sign-ed my name.

1 PAUL WITTE.

position substantially tangentto a tube car- ,l 'ie d by said plunger.

1'3QA machine for making collapsible jtubesor the like which comprises, a die, a plunger cooperat' ngtherewith on'which the tubes are formed, a carrla-ge movable in a substantially horizontal plane I carrying said plunger, a fixedstripper embracing said lplungergarotatably supported member having substantially radial arms, each being "r5 adapted to support'the free end of a tube quantity of lubri- 

